Last roll of the dice for WDFNL, with state league finals action the lure

WARRNAMBOOL and District Football Netball League is aiming to make a late charge tonight for a semi-final berth in Western Regional State League netball.

The WDFNL sits at the foot of the open division ladder but it is one win outside fourth with two rounds to play.

Tonight it faces fifth-placed Hamilton Night Association — a side it defeated 55-44 in the opening round of the competition six weeks ago.

Coach Lisa Arundell said she was looking forward to tonight’s match-up.

“We had a nice win against them the first time we played them,” she said. “Probably our best game to date.

“We hit the ground running and had more of a free-flowing game.

“We haven’t found that (form) the last few weeks.”

Arundell said injuries had hampered her side’s progress in recent weeks and she would again be without key players.

“We are still battling injuries,” she said.

But with the return of goal shooter Steph Jamieson from an ankle injury suffered two weeks ago, she hopes her side’s luck is improving.

Jamieson is unlikely to play a full match but just having her back on court is a bonus.

Arundell said the nature of the competition’s draw, with all games played at the same time, meant she knew little about her Hamilton opponent other than what she had seen in their opening clash.

“I’m hoping they will be similar. We matched up well against them.”

Arundell said the WDFNL knew it needed to finish the competition with two wins to have a shot at playing in the semi- finals on March 20.

“You have to be in it to win it,” she said.

Fourth-placed Colac and District (two wins and three losses) faces second-placed Hampden White (4-1), while top-side Hampden Green (4-1) takes on third-placed Warrnambool City. Both those games start at 8.30pm while the WDFNL/Hamilton match begins at 7.15pm.